History Characters / Warhammer40000Eldar

* TheAtoner[=/=]DefectorFromDecadence: They're descended from the Eldar who realized the horrible depravity of their pre-Fall civilization, and left to live new, spartan lives on the Maiden Worlds on the far-flung borders of their interstellar empire.* BadassNative

to:

%%* BadassNative* TheAtoner[=/=]DefectorFromDecadence: DefectorFromDecadence: They're descended from the Eldar who realized the horrible depravity of their pre-Fall civilization, and left to live new, spartan lives on the Maiden Worlds on the far-flung borders of their interstellar empire.* BadassNativeempire.

* HigherTechSpecies: The Eldar have been a starfaring civilization far longer than any other currently active race except the Necrons and their technology reflects that. For the Craftworld Eldar and Harlequins, ([[{{Magitek}} it's based on a fusion of psychic powers and conventional mechanics]]). Dark Eldar technology is almost purely mechanical due to their lack of psychic influence but is still just as advanced as their uncorrupted kin.

to:

* HigherTechSpecies: The Eldar have been a starfaring civilization far longer than any other currently active race except the Necrons and their technology reflects that. For the Craftworld Eldar and Harlequins, ([[{{Magitek}} [[{{Magitek}} it's based on a fusion of psychic powers and conventional mechanics]]).mechanics]]. Dark Eldar technology is almost purely mechanical due to their lack of psychic influence but is still just as advanced as their uncorrupted kin.

* HumansThroughAlienEyes: At best, the Eldar see humans as repeating the same mistakes that led to the Fall, feeding the Chaos Gods through constant war and death. At worst, humans are vermin breeding in the Eldar's birthright (a position taken by the more extremely anti-human Craftworlds), or livestock to be slaughtered (the general view the Dark Eldar take).

to:

* HumansThroughAlienEyes: At best, the Eldar see humans as barbaric upstarts who are repeating the same mistakes that led to the Fall, feeding the Chaos Gods through constant war and death. At worst, humans are vermin breeding in little better than verminous animals infesting the Eldar's birthright (a position taken by the more extremely anti-human Craftworlds), or livestock to be slaughtered (the general view the Dark Eldar take).

* MildlyMilitary: None of the various Eldar faction's combat forces have anything like the military discipline and structure of other races, but for the Eldar's part they do not seem to need them. Most reject things like ranks and other accouterments as unnecessary artificial restrictions, only needed by those who lack the talent to discipline and organize themselves. They tend to coalesce around objectives and mutually understood plans, often understood via PsychicLink or other means of all hewing to the same strategy. ** This does not mean that rookie Rangers and Aspect Warriors won't listen to an [[FourStarBadass Autarch]] or an [[SergeantRock Exarch]] when direct orders start getting thrown around in part of an agreed-upon military campaign.

to:

* MildlyMilitary: None of the various Eldar faction's combat forces have anything like the military discipline and structure of other races, but for the Eldar's part they do not seem to need them. Most reject things like ranks and other accouterments as unnecessary artificial restrictions, only needed by those who lack the talent to discipline and organize themselves. They tend to coalesce around objectives and mutually understood plans, often understood via PsychicLink or other means of all hewing to the same strategy. \n** This However, this does not mean that rookie Rangers and Aspect Warriors won't listen to an [[FourStarBadass Autarch]] or an [[SergeantRock Exarch]] when direct orders start getting thrown around in part of an agreed-upon military campaign.

** This does not mean that rookie Rangers and Aspect Warriors won't listen to an [[FourStarBadass Autarch]] or an [[SergeantRock Exarch]] when direct orders start getting thrown around in part of an agreed-upon military campaign.

* RubberForeheadAliens: Zig Zagged over the years. Being SpaceElves, most interpretations have the only thing physically separating them from tall, thin, angular humans is pointy ears. Some depictions have them being similar to humans, but [[http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/File:Eldar.jpg more tansparently alien]].

to:

* RubberForeheadAliens: Zig Zagged over the years. Being SpaceElves, most interpretations have the only thing physically separating them from tall, thin, angular humans is pointy ears. Some depictions have them being similar to humans, but [[http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/File:Eldar.jpg more tansparently transparently alien]].

* RubberForeheadAliens: Naturally, being SpaceElves, the only thing separating them from (thin, angular) humans in terms of physical appearance is pointier ears.

to:

* RubberForeheadAliens: Naturally, being Zig Zagged over the years. Being SpaceElves, most interpretations have the only thing physically separating them from (thin, angular) tall, thin, angular humans in terms of physical appearance is pointier ears.pointy ears. Some depictions have them being similar to humans, but [[http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/File:Eldar.jpg more tansparently alien]].

* FixedForwardFacingWeapon: A number of Eldar vehicles, such as the Lynx and Cobra super-heavy grav-tanks, mount a single large weapon in a fixed forward position using their speed and manoeuvrability to keep their targets in their sights. The original Falcon grav-tank design for the ''Epic'' game system also had a fixed forward lascannon rather than the turret mounted heavy weapons of the current model.

* FixedForwardFacingWeapon: A number of Eldar vehicles, such as the Lynx and Cobra super-heavy grav-tanks, mount a single large weapon in a fixed forward position using their speed and manoeuvrability to keep their targets in their sights. The original Falcon grav-tank design for the ''Epic'' game system also had a fixed forward lascannon rather than the turret mounted heavy weapons of the current model.

The Age of Technology saw humans spread across the galaxy in the Eldar's shadow, but the rapidly expanding numbers of human psykers, combined with the psychic feedback in the Warp from the savage hedonism of late Eldar society, created vast storms that made the Warp impossible for humans to traverse, contributing greatly to the Age of Technology's collapse into the Age of Strife which almost wiped out humanity. Ironically, Slaanesh's birth expended a titanic amount of energy in the Warp, calming it enough for human psykers to begin to navigate it again, paving the way for the Emperor's Great Crusade and the rise of the Imperium as the Eldar became a fragment of their former power. In the current setting, humanity's relationship with the Eldar could generously be called tumultuous. Neither side likes or trusts the other, and much blood has been spilt between, but temporary alliances can and do happen as circumstances arise, as many of the other factions threaten both species equally and the Eldar's enigmatic scheming does allow for fighting alongside the upstart ''mon-keigh'' when it's needed.

to:

The Age of Technology saw humans spread across the galaxy in the Eldar's shadow, but the rapidly expanding numbers of human psykers, combined with the psychic feedback in the Warp from the savage hedonism of late Eldar society, created vast storms that made the Warp impossible for humans to traverse, contributing greatly to the Age of Technology's collapse into the Age of Strife which almost wiped out humanity. Ironically, Slaanesh's birth expended a titanic amount of energy in the Warp, calming it enough for human psykers to begin to navigate it again, paving the way for the Emperor's Great Crusade and the rise of the Imperium as the Eldar became a fragment of their former power. In the current setting, humanity's relationship with the Eldar could generously be called tumultuous. Neither side likes or trusts the other, and much blood has been spilt between, but temporary alliances can and do happen as circumstances arise, as many of the other factions threaten both species equally and the Eldar's enigmatic scheming does allow for trading with and fighting alongside the upstart ''mon-keigh'' when it's needed.

* DefectorFromDecadence: The surviving Eldar are all over the map on this one. The Craftworld Eldar and Exodites rejected their ancestors' decadence for the discipline of The Path or a simpler existence on a Maiden World, respectively. The Dark Eldar avert this by willingly continuing the lifestyle that led to the Fall, only modified enough to save their own souls. Corsairs walk a line between these extremes, and live lavish and hedonistic lives, but not to the extent of the Dark Eldar.

to:

* DefectorFromDecadence: The surviving Eldar are all over the map on this one. The Craftworld Eldar and Exodites rejected their ancestors' decadence for the discipline of The Path or a simpler existence on a Maiden World, respectively. The Dark Eldar avert this by willingly continuing the lifestyle that led to the Fall, only modified enough to save their own souls. Corsairs walk a line between these extremes, and tending to live lavish and hedonistic lives, but lives while not going to the extent of the Dark Eldar.

* FantasticRacism: Despite the Fall and the resulting destruction of their empire and sundering of their people, the Eldar generally have a substantial superiority complex, seeing all other sapient species as, at best, tools to be used and discarded should the need arise (and ignored otherwise), or at worst, a blight to be eradicated. Even the Eldar racial term for humans, [[SonOfAnApe "mon-keigh]]," means "those who are to be exterminated." That being said, apart from the Tau, the Eldar actually have the best relations with humans, which says more about the [[AlwaysChaoticEvil other races]] than anything else.** How racist are the Eldar? The Craftworld Eldar and Dark Eldar, who despise each other, are still considered "Battle Brothers" according to 7th edition's ally matrix, while any other potential allies among the lesser races are "Allies of Convenience" at best.

to:

* FantasticRacism: Despite the Fall and the resulting destruction of their empire and sundering of their people, the Eldar generally have a substantial superiority complex, seeing all other sapient species as, at best, tools to be used and discarded should the need arise (and ignored otherwise), or at worst, a blight to be eradicated. Even the Eldar racial term for humans, [[SonOfAnApe "mon-keigh]]," means "those who are to be exterminated." That being said, apart from the Tau, the Eldar actually have the best relations with humans, which says more about the [[AlwaysChaoticEvil other races]] than anything else.** How racist are else. In-game, this is reflected in the Eldar? The Allies matrix having the the Craftworld Eldar Eldar, Harlequins, and Dark Eldar[[note]]the former two of which get along fine but hate the Dark Eldar, who despise each other, are still and the feeling is very much reciprocated[[/note]] considered "Battle Brothers" according to 7th edition's ally matrix, Brothers", while any other potential allies among the lesser races are "Allies of Convenience" at best.

* MoralMyopia: When the Eldar are faced with a choice between safeguarding their own kin and the welfare of another species, they will pick their own kind every time. It's perfectly understandable...it's just not much fun when you're the one getting screwed in their stead, especially after the Eldar have decided that a few thousand of their lives are worth several ''million'' of yours.

to:

* MoralMyopia: When the Eldar are faced with a choice between safeguarding their own kin and the welfare of another species, they will pick their own kind every time. It's perfectly understandable...understandable given their DyingRace status...it's just not much fun when you're the one getting screwed in their stead, especially after the Eldar have decided that a few thousand of their lives are worth several ''million'' of yours.

* SelfInflictedHell: The Eldar have no pleasant afterlife waiting for them; having created Slaanesh, their souls are bound to be collected by him/her/it. One of the main things that separates and defines each of the surviving factions is how they avoid this fate.* SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains: Compare the outfits of the Craftworld and other Eldar to those of the Dark Eldar, and you will see quite the difference. The outfits of the other Eldar, while tight-fitting, tend to be relatively modest. The Dark Eldar, particularly their Wych-cults, prefer to show off their bodies, as it's a mark of renown and prowess to be able to survive lethal battles while wearing minimal armor/clothing.

to:

* SelfInflictedHell: The Eldar have no pleasant afterlife waiting for them; having created Slaanesh, their souls are bound to be collected by him/her/it.hir. One of the main things that separates and defines each of the surviving factions is how they avoid this fate.* SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains: Compare the outfits of the Craftworld and other Eldar to those of the Dark Eldar, and you will see quite the difference. The outfits of the other Eldar, while tight-fitting, tend to be relatively modest. The modest, and Farseers often wear elaborate robes over their clothes and armor. In sharp contrast, the Dark Eldar, particularly their Wych-cults, prefer to show off their bodies, as it's a mark of renown and prowess to be able to survive lethal battles while wearing minimal armor/clothing.

* WildCard: The Eldar have no allegiance besides themselves, they hold no planets, and they only meddle in the affairs of other races for their own long term agendas. Hence, from a narrative perspective, they are a handy tool to maintaining the status quo. Case in point from ''VideoGame/DawnOfWar'': if the Eldar win ''Dark Crusade'', they not only eliminate all the other factions but their interests in the planet as well, leaving the planet a lawless, independent backwater. Considering that every other faction use it as a staging point for further campaigns/crusades/expansions/[=WAAAGHs=] if they are successful in claiming it, it's probably a smart decision.

to:

* WildCard: The Eldar have no allegiance besides themselves, they hold no planets, and they only meddle in the affairs of other races for their own long term agendas. Hence, from a narrative perspective, they are a handy tool to for maintaining the status quo. Case in point from ''VideoGame/DawnOfWar'': if the Eldar win ''Dark Crusade'', they not only eliminate all the other factions but their interests in the planet as well, leaving the planet a lawless, independent backwater. Considering that every other faction use it as a staging point for further campaigns/crusades/expansions/[=WAAAGHs=] if they are successful in claiming it, it's probably a smart decision.

* HighlyConspicuousUniform: The Harlequins have bright patterns on their clothes to intentionally make them more visible on stage. However, as they also incorporate a form of holographic device which scatters their image about to conceal their numbers and exact location, this might not be as much of a liability on the battlefield as it first seems.

to:

* HighlyConspicuousUniform: The Harlequins have bright patterns on their clothes to intentionally make them more visible on stage. However, as they also incorporate a form of holographic device holo-fields which scatters their image about to conceal their numbers and exact location, this might not be as much of a liability on the battlefield as it first seems.

* SuperWristGadget: The "Harlequin's Kiss", a wrist-mounted weapon that functions something like a punch-dagger, but instead of a blade it shoots a line of [[RazorFloss monofilament]] into the target then spins it around rapidly, pureeing the target from the inside.

to:

* SuperWristGadget: The "Harlequin's Kiss", a wrist-mounted weapon that functions something like a punch-dagger, punch dagger, but instead of a blade it shoots a line of [[RazorFloss monofilament]] into the target then spins it around rapidly, pureeing the target from the inside.

* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: The original groups who left to colonize the furthest rim worlds who would become the Exodites brought with them a variety of large, dinosaur-like creatures they call [[InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons dragons]]. The Exodites use them as both beasts of burden and [[BeastOfBattle Beasts Of Battle]]. Their best-known warriors are the Dragon Knights, bands of warriors who ride smaller dragons as cavalry and wield laser-lances.* {{Expy}}: They're ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}} Fantasy'''s Wood Elves, [[RecycledInSpace IN SPACE!!!]]

to:

* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: The original groups who left to colonize the furthest rim worlds who would become the Exodites brought with them a variety of large, dinosaur-like creatures they call [[InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons dragons]]. The Exodites use them as both beasts of both burden and [[BeastOfBattle Beasts Of Battle]]. battle]]. Their best-known warriors are the Dragon Knights, bands of warriors who ride smaller dragons as cavalry and wield laser-lances.* {{Expy}}: They're ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}} Fantasy'''s Wood Elves, [[RecycledInSpace IN SPACE!!!]]laser-lances.

* TheLifestream: The "Planet Spirits" of the Exodites are directly equivalent to the Infinity Circuits of the Craftworlds, being [[BrainUploading a repository for the spirits of their dead]]. The Planet Spirit grows thin crystalline tendrils through the crust of the planet, encompassing the entire world. In this regard, it is larger with more total psychic power than the Infinity Circuit of a Craftworld. However, because of this size that power is much more dispersed and thus less able to be guided and harnessed by living Eldar into purpose. ** This is why Exodite Maiden Worlds are so tough to invade. Any hostile troops land on the surface and the entire planet turns from a verdant paradise to a DeathWorld. Luckily, for themselves, the Imperium [[OrbitalBombardment has a solution to this]].* RedemptionEarnsLife: When the Fall happened and the Eldar empire was obliterated, the Maiden Worlds escaped the cataclysm and were left miraculously untouched.

to:

* TheLifestream: The "Planet Spirits" of the Exodites are directly equivalent to the Infinity Circuits of the Craftworlds, being [[BrainUploading a repository for the spirits of their dead]]. The Planet Spirit grows thin crystalline tendrils through the crust of the planet, encompassing the entire world. In this regard, it is larger with more total psychic power than the Infinity Circuit of a Craftworld. However, because of this size that power is much more dispersed and thus less able to be guided and harnessed by living Eldar into purpose. \n** This is why also makes Exodite Maiden Worlds are so very tough to invade. Any invade, as when hostile troops land on the surface and surface, the entire planet turns from a verdant paradise to a DeathWorld. Luckily, for themselves, the Imperium [[OrbitalBombardment has a solution to this]].* RecycledInSpace: They're the 40K equivalent of ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}} Fantasy'''s Wood Elves.* RedemptionEarnsLife: When the Fall happened and the Eldar empire was obliterated, the Maiden Worlds escaped the cataclysm and were left miraculously untouched.due to being so far away.

* MultinationalTeam: Corsairs can come from a variety of origins. Many are outcasts from the craftworlds, but there are also exiles (voluntary or otherwise) from Commorragh and Exodites who decided that they would not be content living in their subsistence-level homes.

to:

* MultinationalTeam: Corsairs can come from a variety of origins. Many are outcasts from the craftworlds, but there are also exiles (voluntary or otherwise) from Commorragh and Exodites who decided that they would not be content living in tire of their subsistence-level homes.lifestyle.

* BalkanizeMe: The Eldar once ruled over the vast majority of the galaxy. Then their empire fell when the [[NegativeSpaceWedgie Eye of Terror]] swallowed their homeworlds and the birth-scream of [[GodOfEvil Slaneesh]] killed most of their race, except for those safe in the Webway or far enough from the homeworlds to avoid the psychic backlash. The major Eldar settlements in the Webway eventually fused into the [[WretchedHive Dark City of Comorragh]]. Other Eldar, ascetics who had chosen to distance themselves from the empire, still drift along the cosmos in their mutually independent [[GenerationShips Craftworlds]]. Still others, such as the Harlequin cultists of [[TheTrickster Cegorach]], the [[SpaceAmish Exodite]] colonists on the edge of the galaxy, and the roving [[SpacePirate Corsairs]], survived by either method and formed their own independent factions. Each group underwent a fair degree of cultural evolution, and now they bear little similarity to each other or the old Eldar Empire.

to:

* BalkanizeMe: The Eldar once ruled over the vast majority of the galaxy. Then their empire fell when the [[NegativeSpaceWedgie Eye of Terror]] swallowed their homeworlds and the birth-scream of [[GodOfEvil Slaneesh]] killed most of their race, except for those safe in the Webway or far enough from the homeworlds to avoid the psychic backlash. The major Eldar settlements in the Webway eventually fused into the [[WretchedHive Dark City of Comorragh]]. Other Eldar, ascetics The Eldar who had chosen to distance themselves from crewed the empire, Empire's massive, self-sustaining and semi-nomadic trading ships still drift along the cosmos in their mutually independent [[GenerationShips Craftworlds]]. Still others, such as the Harlequin cultists of [[TheTrickster Cegorach]], the [[SpaceAmish Exodite]] colonists on the edge of the galaxy, and the roving [[SpacePirate Corsairs]], survived by either method and formed their own independent factions. Each group underwent a fair degree of cultural evolution, and now they bear little similarity to each other or the old Eldar Empire.

* BalkanizeMe: The Eldar once ruled over whole star systems. Then they fled after the Eye of Terror swallowed their empire. Some fled into the webway and created the Dark city of Comorragh. Others drift along the cosmos in their craftworlds. Each represent a different aspect of Eldar life.

to:

* BalkanizeMe: The Eldar once ruled over whole star systems. the vast majority of the galaxy. Then they fled after their empire fell when the [[NegativeSpaceWedgie Eye of Terror Terror]] swallowed their empire. Some fled homeworlds and the birth-scream of [[GodOfEvil Slaneesh]] killed most of their race, except for those safe in the Webway or far enough from the homeworlds to avoid the psychic backlash. The major Eldar settlements in the Webway eventually fused into the webway and created the [[WretchedHive Dark city City of Comorragh. Others Comorragh]]. Other Eldar, ascetics who had chosen to distance themselves from the empire, still drift along the cosmos in their craftworlds. mutually independent [[GenerationShips Craftworlds]]. Still others, such as the Harlequin cultists of [[TheTrickster Cegorach]], the [[SpaceAmish Exodite]] colonists on the edge of the galaxy, and the roving [[SpacePirate Corsairs]], survived by either method and formed their own independent factions. Each represent group underwent a different aspect fair degree of cultural evolution, and now they bear little similarity to each other or the old Eldar life.Empire.

Community

Tropes HQ

TVTropes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available from thestaff@tvtropes.org. Privacy Policy